Spineless men and women fill the halls of Congress. Not one of them, I submit, could ever fill the shoes of the men who framed the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. Their ethics are corrupted by their greed for power and their courage to stand for what is right is shattered when enough pressure it put upon them. They are gutless, cowardly and truly a craven group of so-called leaders. The men who signed our foundational documents, did not trade away freedom or accept bribes in order to get what they wanted. There was compromise, but compromise that established the greatest government ever in the history of the world. There is no compromise in this Senate, only blackmail and bribery, at the expense of Democracy.

If our leaders are so easily swayed away from their own convictions and ignore the democratic voice of their constituents as demonstrated in this health care legislation; what will happen if and when our Freedom of Religion is radically attacked? Who will stand up for our First Amendment rights, if those in Congress, who don’t hold the same beliefs as we in the Christian community, choose to follow marching orders from the powers the be? This health care bill is critical to the health of our country and is being pushed through by radicals who don’t seem to care about America’s life expectancy. What about the issues that are central to all American’s rights? What if they come under attack? Will any on the left stand up to protect them? It seems that most have sold their souls to the Devil, and few would sacrificially give up everything to stand for Truth, Justice and Freedom.

They don’t make ‘em like they used to! Is it because the American people as a whole are no longer capable of electing leadership that is morally and ethically sound; or is it because there are no morally and ethically sound leaders rising to the top to lead? May only the cream of the crop attain leadership positions and only those who demonstrate the type of leadership on which this country was built. Courage, Uncompromising Ethics, Integrity and a love for Country and Constitution: The New American Leader!

This is the only change I can believe in!

A beautifully embossed Christmas card arrived today, sealed in wax with an ancient royal signet ring.  Mystified, I carefully opened the envelope hoping to keep the wax seal intact to show my husband the intricate beauty. As I pulled out the translucent parchment and began to read, my hands shook with disbelief. I paused to sit down and halt the flow of salty tears that threatened to run the ink on this priceless letter. I could hear the beating of my heart in the silent room as I resumed reading. The message was truly a tiding of great joy for my family, and a blessing more desirous than anything my heart could have hoped for. To tell you the contents of this note would almost be sacrilegious without great pomp and circumstance attached; yet poetry eludes me and song flies away in the face of this momentous note. So I will just write it bluntly, without the prescribed celebration. Jesus, the Son of God, will be visiting our house on Christmas Day!

There has never been enough money to go around during the holiday season. We always have more year, more month, and more day at the end of each paycheck. We always have more Christmas wishes and guests than our finances can afford, and this year our house will be full again with family and friends, full of love and joy. Each year my heart is filled with the desire to make everyone’s wish list come true and an inability to do so; and now I have the most famous guest of all arriving on December twenty-fifth. How am I to prepare of this? The King of the universe is coming to my humble dwelling. Royalty will be sitting on my old couch. Nothing in this house is clean enough for my Lord. Nothing will ever make my home worthy of such an arrival.

A week is all the time I have to clean, bake, decorate and shop.Only a week to prepare for Immanuel. How have the chosen few from Bible stories of old prepared for this type of visitation?  The women during Passover so thoroughly clean their homes that no dust remains even in the darkest corners. Do I have time for that? I must! Jesus can’t enter this house with cobwebs in the eaves and fingerprints on the window panes.

What kind of meal should I prepare? Traditional? Gourmet? Or perhaps something Jewish in flavor? It has to be perfect. Nothing less will do! But I am far from a gourmet chef, so perhaps I should have this momentous meal catered. I better get a cookbook, as well as a restaurant guide, when I go to the store. Who will have the honor of sitting on either side of Him at the dining table? Should I draw straws as each family member enters the dining room? Jesus, of course, will sit at the head of the table. We will request His blessing on our feast, whatever we end up eating. Oh, who will monitor the topics of conversation? What if someone says something wrong? What if somehow we dishonor our Guest?

Finally, what kind of gift should I buy? What does a person wrap up in Christmas red and green for the owner of all the cattle on the hills? What could I possibly give the Give of Life?

So you see my dilemma. I am so honored, yet so unworthy, so unready. I have spent three days spring cleaning my home in the dead of winter. It has never been so sanitary. The carpets are clean, the windows Windexed, an the children’s toys have been wiped down and put in the proper places. Any sign of a mess will result in some form of discipline!

All the customary Christmas decorations are put in place. I wondered if I should put any Santa Clause decorations out, or leave them packed away for next year? Is there anything in my traditional Christmas that would offend my Guest?

I now face the challenge of a lifetime, the mission impossible, the task of finding the perfect present for God’s perfect gift to me. Ironically, I end up at the mall with a mass of humanity also looking for their perfect gifts as well. I wander through the shops and realize how ludicrous it is to search here for a gift for God. What would He want from a mall? A tie? a Sweater? After-shave?  How about a monogrammed stationary set? I can just see it now, embossed in gold, “GOD” in the center of the page. Perhaps something from His creation would be more appropriate: a perfect poinsettia or basket of fruit might make a lovely gift. Yet after three days of frantic searching, I still haven’t found anything to wrap up for the King of kings. As I sit at the foot of our Christmas tree, looking at all the other gifts, I weep because of the loss I feel not having something for my Savior.

Christmas morning arrived and the children rushed out happily to ransack their stockings. I was caught up in their smiles and happiness as we sat down to read the Christmas Story from the Bible. As the story unfolded, and the children sat quietly listening to the part where the angel told the shepherds about Jesus’ birth, a quiet rap came from the front door. All became silent as we realized Whom the knock represented. I quickly surveyed the room and the children, as my husband and I made our way to the door. Were we ready to welcome the Birthday Guest into our home? Before I could answer the knock however, my youngest child reached the entry way, threw open the door, and jumped into the arms of Jesus.

My heart stopped as I watched Jesus walk through the door with my child hanging on His arm. This wasn’t how I planned this moment. Was Jesus offended by such a rambunctious and an utterly un-worshipful welcome? I was mortified at what it said about my child’s behavior and my parenting!

The moment of entry seemed to last an eternity, until the shrill squeals of my brood restarted the hand of the clock. I realized that I had been holding my breath, as I sharply exhaled. I then caught a glimpse of Jesus’ face and the delighted twinkle in His eyes, as He reached down to touch each child. How I wanted to weep and repent, dance and laugh, at my foolish heart. I recalled the verse in an instant, that says, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not.” I had been so worked up about how to make my home, my children and my life acceptable, that I had forgotten that He only requires my love. Nothing more, but my love.  All else had been done for me two thousand years ago on the cross.

He looked at me as He entered the room and held His arms open wide. I walked to Him and embraced Him with every ounce of love and devotion a hug could convey. He wiped the tears from my face and led me to the couch. We sat down and Jesus began to tell us about His Christmas Story. We were mesmerized as the familiar Sunday School lesson was told by the Author Himself. Awestruck, the children hardly moved as they listened to Jesus. The perfect Christmas gift sat on our couch and we worshiped Him.

As other guests arrived, the peace, joy and love that permeated our humble home, filled each heart. No other Christmas will equal the one spent with Jesus as the Honored Guest. Never will I forget how He played with the new train set or teasingly put on the princess crown and feather boa.  Always will we remember the laughter over Christmas dinner and the reverent thanks offered to God our Father.

However, my greatest memory was the forgiveness, unconditional acceptance and the love His smiling face, twinkling eyes and warm hug conveyed to me. Merry Christmas my Lord! I am honored to have You in my house each and every day!

Written by Mary Selby for her children Christmas 2003.

Jefferson Smith: [His voice very hoarse] Just get up off the ground, that’s all I ask. Get up there with that lady that’s up on top of this Capitol dome, that lady that stands for liberty. Take a look at this country through her eyes if you really want to see something. And you won’t just see scenery; you’ll see the whole parade of what Man’s carved out for himself, after centuries of fighting. Fighting for something better than just jungle law, fighting so’s he can stand on his own two feet, free and decent, like he was created, no matter what his race, color, or creed. That’s what you’d see. There’s no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties. And, uh, if that’s what the grownups have done with this world that was given to them, then we’d better get those boys’ camps started fast and see what the kids can do. And it’s not too late, because this country is bigger than the Taylors, or you, or me, or anything else. Great principles don’t get lost once they come to light. They’re right here; you just have to see them again!

Great principles don’t get lost once they come to light.

“Bravo” to the Republicans who are requiring the reading of 767-page amendment to the Health Care bill.  According to The Hill, “Ultimately, if Republicans continue invoking regular order and requesting the full reading of all amendments, Democrats could find themselves still locked in debate by Dec. 23.”

If only we had had this type of leadership and “game plan” in the previous rush to sign away the American’s freedom and hard earned cash:  Stimulus, Pork Barrel, Cap and Tax…..and the list goes on!

By reading this amendment out loud as per Senate Standing Rules of the Senate XVAmendments and Motions, the American people have at last been given the chance to hear what Senator Sanders has up his sleeve for the people he serves.  Bring it all into the light!  If there is nothing to hide, then why the fear in shouting it from the rooftops?  There should not be a rush to sign something so monumental that will effect so many people.  It is like impulse buying, and there will be great regret when one gets it home!

As Jimmy Stewart said in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, “There’s no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties.”  We need a Mr. Smith to represent us in Washington. We need someone who hears the Tea Party Members,  listens to the constituents and does what is best for this country, not what lines the pockets of the politician and keeps them in office. We needto continue to keep the spot light on Washington and keep the pressure on those who represent “We the People”, making sure that our elected officials do the will of the people and not their personal wills.

There are those who truly serve the people who elected them and who view their careers in their respective political offices as a ministry to their constituents. There are men and women who would walk away, if it was best for the Country and the citizens they serve, but not many.  Service to country lays aside personal gain and ideology for what is best and moral for its citizens. They also fight for what it best for the Country as a whole and not a small minority that is vocal.   Not many in Washington, especially those who are bent on passing a Health Care bill that doesn’t reflect the need, nor the heart of those it is meant to help, truly serve those whom they represent.  They serve their party ideology, their personal agendas, and the special interest groups the help re-elect them, but not the small town constituents who they are meant to serve.

Will all the Mr. Smiths stand up and do the right thing?  Our country needs men and women to do what it takes to make sure the voice of America is reflected in all the legislation that is drafted and passed in Washington.   We need the Mr. and Mrs Smiths in Washington to stand up for what is ethical on the Hill, even when standing up might cost them their political careers.

Luke 2A Story for my children

“Safe journey my daughter. God be with you! And Joseph, you take care of my Mary. Oh what a shame, so far from home! What if the baby comes?” Tears fell as the grandmother in waiting kissed her young pregnant daughter good bye. This isn’t the way things are done. Who will give comfort and assist with the birth, with Mary so far from home?

Only half a day’s journey till lodging is found in Bethlehem. It might as well be an eternity as the early pains of first born labor begin. Every movement of the donkey sends sharp stabs of agony through Mary’s heavy body.

She sighs as fear, discomfort, and loneliness envelops her. All her plans for the traditional birth: the presence of her loving mother for comfort, the experienced hands of her aunt, turned midwife, and the anticipated celebration of close kin and friends, all washed away by the great tide of a governmental census. “Oh Jehovah, this is Your Son, and I am Your maidservant. Let it be to me according to Your Word.”

Joseph’s head aches with the tumultuous thoughts that war with his faith. “This is of the Holy Spirit. Jehovah, help my anxious unbelief. How am I going to deliver your Baby? This is a woman’s job. I am unqualified. How am I to raise Your Son, my Messiah? I am a sinner, unholy and unworthy of such a task. God of Wisdom, help this lowly servant know Your ways as I care for my wife and this newborn Christ Child.’

Hours later the young couple collapse on the only floor available in Bethlehem. The delivery of Mary’s first child is immediate and the delivery room far from clean.

“Oh God, my Father, I am so scared! The pain is overwhelming I don’t think I can do this. The smells in this stable make me wretch. God, this is Your Son, He deserves a clean bed. Ooohh, it hurts, oohh help me! Your time is only moments away. Your grand entry into humanity…..You deserve more than this place!” Mary cried out in prayer.

“Mary, look at my eyes, Know that I am here and I love you. Focus on God, Mary, you can do this.” Joseph’s ashen face betrays the confidence he speaks. He silently prays for Divine help in this hay filled nursery.

“Oh Joseph, I have to push. Oh Joseph, it hurts…I want to stop. I am so tired….”

“One more time Mary. Give one more push. Praise be to God! Oh Mary! Oh what a miracle. Oh my son! Oh Mary, He is perfect. Hallelujah!”

The precious squalling of the newborn Child pierces the once silent night. The donkey that traveled the Bethlehem road looks up at the noisy cry. All creation will worship this King. Somehow the donkey knows.

She lies back in Joseph’s arms nursing her priceless miracle. Her Messiah. Soft gulping comes from the hungry infant wrapped snugly in rough swaddling fabric. “No place on earth I would rather be dear Father! Thank You for this unspeakable gift. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

The donkey gets up, disturbed by the approaching foot steps. Startled, the slumbering Joseph is fully awake, as voices echo into the cave. “Who are you? You are not welcome here!”

The torchlight flickered over the rough countenance of a man. He reverently fell to his knees and spoke in an awestruck whisper, “We have come to worship the Christ.” As if moved by the hand of God Himself, Joseph stepped aside and let the ragged shepherds enter heaven in cave. The men fell face first in adoration to the floor of the filthy stable. Before them lay their King of kings, peacefully sleeping in a manger of hay. As inconceivable as it seemed, every whispered breath praised Jehovah for this perfect birthplace. No where on earth was better, for love and humility mixed with the harmonious music of nature filled the damp room.

“Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will, towards men. It was the most remarkable event in my life, until this moment. Who would believe a chorus of angels appeared to me, a shepherd? But I would not have believed my Savior and Lord had come tonight except for such a visitation. Praise be to God. A lowly fool as I, have had the privilege to worship my King only moments after His arrival. Oh I am so undeserving. Praise to Jehovah. Thank You….Praise you….” Tears fell unashamedly from the eyes of the shepherd, as they entered the Holy of  holies and worshiped the Promised One.

The serenity returned to the stable as once again, Mary and Joseph were left alone to ponder the moments and miracle they held in their arms. Nothing is as beautiful as a sleeping infant; but nothing was as unfathomable as the swaddled God. The Creator caressed by the hands of the created. Silence was the only fitting music as Mary and Joseph adored their King. For words can never five melodies to the orchestra of praise that filled heaven and hearts that first Christmas day. And His name shall be called Jesus, for He will save His people from their sin.

Written by Mary Selby, for my children December 2000

Being from the Left Coast and Southern California to boot, I was not surprised to find Christmas under attack when I read Michelle Malkin’s blog.  Apparently, “Operation Santa Clause” and the Christmas tree that represented the toy drive for poor children, was offensive to someone.  According to the Orange County Register, the Christmas tree at the Orange County Superior Courthouse has been a twenty year tradition and the focal point for the toy drive.  The public could come and take a tag off the tree and purchase a toy for a needy child.  However, because of some intolerant, easily offended individual, the tree had to come down.

Court house employees started a petition to get the tree set back up.  “That tree holds the cards that contain the wishes and needs of those less fortunate than we are and shame on those who want to take that away from those of us who wish to give …” the petition says. “Now at the court’s darkest hour, our symbol of hope has been taken away from us.”

The public outcry did the trick and the court restored the tree.

“After assessing the situation, including case law on similar circumstances, and giving serious weight to the concerns expressed by staff, Judge (Kim) Dunning has concluded these trees are permissible for display in our lobbies,” the court’s chief executive officer, Alan Carlson, said in a statement. Dunning is the court’s presiding judge.

As a certified Christmas Tree hugger, I am grateful that the tree was restored.  It is a timely reminder that the good fight will never end.  There will always be Scrooges ready to kill “Christ”mas.  Herod tried to kill baby Jesus over two thousand years ago, and today many still have that murderous desire.  They will kill the traditions, the creches, the trees, the Holiday music, just as Herod tried to do so many years ago.  There are those who hate Jesus Christ and Christmas reminds them for Whom the Christmas bell tolls.

I am afraid that we will always need to make a stand for the Christmas Tree and for the Christ of Christmas.  Yet be encouraged, no one has ever been able to silence the message of the Angels, “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11-14).

I was going to make a comparison list of the things I don’t have versus the things I have, as a reminder of God’s great provision and blessing, but there is nothing to place on the “don’t have side”. In the shadow of the cross, I have everything I need.

There is always something to be thankful for and always Someone to thank. Perhaps a rough economy causes eyes to see what they don’t have, but I believe that many times it helps us adjust our focus on what we do have, what is most important.

Two and a half years ago, we were forced to sell our business, the home we rented was lost in foreclosure, my husband couldn’t get work, then severely broke his leg and we became dependent on friends and family for shelter and provision. I know what it means to lose it all….business, home, and a car; yet I have every reason to be overwhelmingly thankful to God because He has sustained us, blessed us and has provided for us for these passed thirty months.

We still live with family, but we have income, we have two very used, but serviceable cars that get us from point “A” to “B” and we have a roof, though not our own, over our heads. We have been able to continue home schooling and God has provided college for our oldest. All good gifts come down from the Father of Lights.

Though most of my earthly belongings are tucked away in boxes in a garage across town, no-one and nothing can take away, my eternal possession, my relationship with Jesus Christ. No one can stop my prayers or steals my salvation and for this I shout Thanksgiving to God!

The difference in women could not be more pronounced! The condensation and snobbery in the Martha’s voice in this interview demonstrates how out of touch she is with the very people who purchase her towels and paint; her magazines and decorating guides. The rich don’t buy her towels, it is middle America who shops at Sears, who line her pockets with greenbacks.

Sarah Palin, represents those who will never live up to Martha Stewart standards. Sarah lives life like the rest of us. She loves her family, loves her country and is willing to do what it takes to help make this country what it needs to be for future generations. She desires to help make America beautiful from the inside out, while Martha is all about an outside beauty that fades, one paint swatch at a time.

Pompous, Prideful, Self-centered, Arrogant: Martha Stewart. Patriotic, Passionate, Servant, Humble: Sarah Palin.

You Decide!

Recently I responded to a Facebook status that said,

 

“I am really getting tired of people who believe our salvation is somehow tied to our government.”

On the surface it could have been a fairly benign comment based on the reality that government should not be seen as the great savior of all Americans, and to put one’s hope in a government or man is foolish. The following is the conversation that ensued and I would like to invite you to join the conversation. What are your thoughts on the the above statement?

I responded to the above mentioned status, “I agree….if my people, who are called by my name shall humble themselves…..It starts on our knees in humility….”

She responded, “We aren’t going to get saved through politics. Jesus didn’t come to save us politically.”

Again, I responded, “No, you are right, if politics is seen as salvation, it is our damnation. But I do think we must, as Christians make noise that will affect change in the powers that be, whether that is politically, pop culture, or the kid next door. I think that we have to go into all our world and preach the Gospel, which means telling those in office and all we come in contact with, that they are sinners, going to hell, in need of a Savior (who loves them and desires to offer them forgiveness and eternal life). It won’t change the direction of the country politically, but perhaps it will change the hearts of the direction makers in the country.”

Another gal popped into the thread stating, “Are you saying that telling people in public office that they are sinners and are going to hell will change their hearts? I do think we should vote our morals, but all Jesus said about government is to respect it and pay our taxes, and during His time they had one of the most ungodly and blasphemous leaders possible. Their mission was not to Christianize the government. Jesus’ strategy was never to condemn, it was to love, and to shine a light that draws people toward you instead of wanting to get away from you. I agree with (the original author’s name), as Christians our focus should be showing God’s love and light to people we meet.”

My friend responded, “If it means sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with elected officials, yes, just as we would with anyone else. And if they accept the grace of Christ, that is great. But we have to realize that this kingdom really doesn’t matter in the long run. I realize that this world is temporal. We are strangers and aliens on this earth. So yes, I vote my conscience, but political change is not our job, spiritual change is. Actually spiritual change isn’t even our job, it’s God’s work. We are to go to the ends of the earth and share the Gospel; but it is God who reaches down into the market place of sin and pulls us out of the mire. We cannot even lift our finger out of it. God has to come and find us. (Romans 9:16). It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire but on God’s mercy. When we receive that mercy that He gives to us, then our lives are changed. We have confidence in the finished work of Christ that our salvation is a sure thing. We do not need to keep striving to earn that salvation. This leads to us wanting to Please God and, hence, obeying His commands. I John 3:23 says, “And this is His command; to believe in the name of His son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” and that love requires us to tell others the Gospel. Why would we want to keep this Good News to ourselves. So yes, we should tell anyone, even an individual elected official. But government as a concept is not redeemable. It is a worldly institution and will perish.

At this point, my mind was wrestling with all these truths that I too agreed with, yet I couldn’t agree completely with the final conclusion. I responded, “I was thinking very much about this conversation. If we are to be salt and light in every area that God leads us; work, mothering, shopping, etc., then by virtue of the fact that He in His Providence has placed us in a nation that is run by “We the People”, we should in fact, as Christians, be salt and light in the democratic system in which we have been blessed to live. I know that we are to be living in the Kingdom of God, but I think that we as a church have been apathetic to our responsibility to keep the stewardship of this great Nation in line with Biblical Principles. I agree that God is the Lord of the Harvest. The Holy Spirit is the power of ultimate salvation, redemption, and eternal change in the hearts of man, to believe otherwise puts one on the level of Savior, and that is insanity; however, going into all the world means taking the Light that indwells us and going into the circumstances in which God has placed us to share this light. To ignore the God given government He has blessed us to live under and not be a “light sharer” within, would be missing part of the world He has sent us into. Salt hurts those who are wounded by sin and death and light blinds, so I submit that our government and the people who are currently running it are in dire need of these two elements.”

My reason for chronicling this dialogue is for the purpose of brain picking and hearing from you the reader. I am curious to see if we should be dis-engaged because government is not redeemable and therefore our focus is misplaced. Is voting one’s conscience all that we as believers should be doing? What do you believe the role of the Christian is in regard to government and politics.

Would there be any reason to think that America would exist as a Nation if the Founders felt that the institution of government was not redeemable and that their struggle for independence from Britain was not a Biblical perspective and therefore the job for a Christian?

Please feel free to speak your mind. Iron sharpens iron and I believe we all need to be sharp in every area of our lives.

daisiesPolitical thoughts were set aside as more important thoughts took precedent this past week. My daughter and I spent the week reading Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton for an assignment she had in one of her home schooling courses. As we read much of it aloud, I would stop and explain, first to myself and then to her the deeply profound truths about Christianity through the heart of Chesterton. The pages are now thoroughly underlined, with notes in the margins and “Wow” written often next to incredibly insightful text. To share a list of favorites would take hours of typing, yet the one thought that has swirled in my mind is how, as an adult, I have allowed the wonder and marvel of God to sit quietly on a shelf while my adult life and busyness carries me on day to day. To stop and wonder about God and His divinity, to enjoy His creation and get away from the daily grind should become a first part of my day and not an after thought.

Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun: and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in Nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore (58). Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton

As I picked up Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy tonight, I read again the need for wonder and marvel at our God above all gods. Tozar stated, “This world, after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle; wonderful, inscrutable, magical and more, to whosoever will think of it……Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies. We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper “mystery.”

I for one recognize that my life as a wife, mother, home schooler, worship leader, teacher, blogger was getting in the way of my wonder of God. I am that zombie missing out on His mysteries. To take time to wonder, to dwell on the Infinite will only make the temporal busyness of my life meaningful.

“We think more loftily of God by knowing that He is incomprehensible, and above our understand, than by conceiving Him under any image, and creature beauty, according to our rude understanding,” spoke Michael de Molinos.

I encourage you, as I encourage myself, to take time and smell the daisies. Take time to wonder, as Chesterton suggested, that perhaps God does in fact create each flower one by one, because He never gets tired.

Autumn Harvest.Rockwell.Litho
Saturday morning has been industrious. Like Snow White singing a happy cleaning song with her forest friends in tow, my family scurried around the house, making it sparkle like the Southern California weather of  this fine October day. There is a feeling of Autumn, though not from crisp weather or crimson leaves, but from the anticipation of turning back the clocks, candy corn sitting in a bowl on the counter and pumpkin pie being discussed for dessert.

Though we as a family don’t “celebrate” Halloween, we are looking forward to a night of family fun, food and friends. The stew is in the Crock Pot, Ghost Busters is ready for a Premier viewing with the kids and the slumber party guest has a pillow waiting for her head.

Turning the clock back seems to usher in the Holiday Season with earlier bedtimes, the scent of fall flavored candles and the desire to turn the oven on and bake, putting a smile on one’s face and creating anticipation  for the first slice of pumpkin pie , eaten with family and friends, tonight perhaps, and then again for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But the commercialism that this time of year brings, beginning with Halloween lights of orange and black, to Christmas lights of green and red, for many is the catalyst of the holiday season, wholly lacking in meaning and purpose.

What if we could truly turn the clock back and bring back a better time in America?  What would that look like? In my mind, I picture a Norman Rockwell image and the idyllic scenes of the American family spending a holly, jolly Christmas together, with the focus on family and Christ and not on the walls of Walmart decked with superfluous fluff. But what would make for a picture perfect America and how could we turn back the clock per se to attain it? norman rockwell clock maker

Politics will not bring back the best of what Pumpkin Pie represents in America. The first Thanksgiving gave thanks to God for His Bounty and His Provision. Politicians have never provided Pumpkin Pie.  Today, I set aside time to ponder turning back the clock, pumpkin pie and a time with my family that reflects a yearning for moments gone by when America cherished what was lasting and good and understood that all Pumpkin Pie comes from God in heaven.

Art and media are the means and bridge over which the current philosophy of the philosophers reaches the general culture.” “Whoever controls the media controls the culture.Francis Schaeffer – How Should We Then Live?

first amendment

When the powers that be no longer control the monopoly of ideas and philosophy being fed to the public, then that power must reinstate itself, many times through tyrannical means, to regain control of all avenues of thought and communication.  This is what we are seeing take place in the White House.  The lack of control over the communication that is coming from Fox News, talk radio and the blogosphere has the Administration scrambling to out maneuver the news coming from these avenues.  Obviously, the First Amendment is under attack. Fear has shut down free speech all over the world and throughout history yet because engaged Americans know this, they are wide awake and ready to stand on the “Free Speech Amendment” of the Bill of Rights.

Jim Vandehei and Mike Allen from Politico are running a two part series to look into this attack on Conservative conversation.  They quote Dana Perino, the former White House press secretary to Bush who said, “They won — why don’t they act like it?  The more they fight, the more defensive they look. It’s only been 10 months, and they’re burning bridges in a lot of different places.”  (Vandehei and Allen: Obama Strategy: Marginalize Most Powerful Critics http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28532.html)

Savannah Guthrie, NBC News White House correspondent interviewed President Obama on Wednesday, October 21,2009,  and this same evening on Fox,  Hannity aired part of the exclusive interview in which Ms. Gutherie questioned Obama saying, “This stir over Fox News….is this working, is it appropriate for the White House to say what is and what is not a news organization?”

Obama responded, “Our advisers simply said that we are going to take media as it comes, and if media is operating basically as a talk radio format that is one thing, and if it is operating as a news outlet, that is another.  It’s not something I am losing alot of sleep over.”

According to Hannity, this part of the broadcast was omitted from the actual broadcast. Sleep has been lost in the White House.

Mark Davis, columnist and talk show host wrote in his column for Dallas News.com, “So as the current administration dithers over how hard to fight in Afghanistan, the decision has already been made to launch a surge of rhetoric against the sole network that does not dance to the Obama piper.”

One would agree that there are much bigger fires to fight for the Obama Administration, but their focus on the area  of  Free Speech has put a fire in most American hearts. The attack on the First Amendment Rights of Fox News and other organizations, who raise a voice against the policies of this White House, is something that all citizens should have concern over.

Obama and company can’t seem to handle the truth and so they attempt to marginalize by name calling and scare tactics.  These are not exactly strong leadership skills, but more like street bully skills.  If there is no credibility in the news that comes out of Fox News, then the statement “Be sure, the truth will find you out” should be a relief to the White House.  It is a two way avenue, Fox News must report the facts or else the truth of their fact finding will come to light as fraud; however, the White House also must have the same standard of truth and fact finding.  There is nothing to fear, when there is nothing to hide.  Transparency was one theme that was touted by the Obama campaign, but it appears that being too transparent, or allowing a news organization  to help keep one transparent, isn’t good for Presidential appearances.  If one is not speeding, then one doesn’t have to fear the State Trooper in the rear view mirror.  If the Administration is not “cheating” the American people, then what do they have to fear if any news organization calls into questions the policies being implemented?

Obama is following the play books  of dictators who shut down and/or control the media.  Apparently he recognizes what Francis Schaffer stated in his book How Should We Then Live? that “Whoever controls the media, controls the culture.”  The Obama Administration feels as if it is losing control and therefore is clamping down on those whom they haven’t been able to use as their mouth pieces.

putin controls speech cartoon

california

A seventeen year old government student asked for my time after class yesterday, confused and frustrated with California’s politics.  I don’t blame him, as I have often wondered living on the “Left” coast, if my voice and vote will ever count.  This young man, after researching a current event for class, was angry when he read:

“Californians may have voted in November to amend their state constitution to define the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, but new legislation signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger now requires California to validate and recognize same-sex “marriages” performed outside the state as either legal “marriage” or marriage-like “unions.”

His specific ire was toward a system that ignores the voice of the voting public, again and again.  Being new to the study of government and politics, he couldn’t understand the “how” and the “why” a proposition voted on by a majority of Californians could be changed by a handful of politicians.  One could sense the utter frustration this future voter was rightfully feeling.

“Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”, the language found in Proposition 8, was passed by a majority of 48% of California voters.  Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute pointed out that, “The governor has chosen to completely undermine the will of the people — the millions of Californians who have twice stated that they intend for only traditional marriage to be recognized in our state.”gov-arnold-schwarzenegger-signing

According to the Free Republic, the new legislation requires California to recognize same-sex “marriages” from out of state as legal “unions” that must be accorded the “same respect and dignity accorded a union traditionally designated as marriage, also the same rights, protections, and benefits, and shall be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and duties under law … with the sole exception of the designation of marriage.’”

The bill was originally vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, yet this second time around he ignored the united voice of his constituents in favor of a well funded and vocal sliver of the population that screams “hate crime” if one disagrees with their homosexual lifestyle.

The Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver, who has litigated in California for almost six years to uphold the natural institution of marriage told LifeSiteNews.com that pro-family advocates as well as Liberty Counsel will mount a a legal challenge to SB 54.  Proposition 8 reverses the State Supreme Courts ruling in Proposition 22 because “as a super-statute, only the people, not the governor or the legislature, have the power to override those provisions” he said.

I suppose the moral to the story is that the battle never ends and one moral victory can be overturned by the one who wields the sword.  Yet the voter must not give up when the government ignores his vote, but rather, he must “rage against the machine” until every democratic resource has been exhausted.

California is notoriously liberal and its “rulers” are flippantly arrogant to ignore the conservative voice that comes out swinging each election cycle.  The liberals have a choke hold, a well funded choke hold on our State’s capitol, yet Californians continue to go to the polls to speak over the din of dirty politics.  Perhaps, one day, the head of this boa constrictor can be cut off and a sane, balanced compromise will again be found on the floor Sacramento.

Obama

The life that counts must toil and fight,

Must hate the wrong and love the right:

Must stand for truth, by day, by night-

This is the life that counts.  - Anonymous

There are two phrases repetitively used in regard to the kings of the nation Isreal as found in the Biblical records.  It is black and white when dealing with their morality and character.  “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” or “He did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord”.  The narrative included the king’s acts and political decisions as they lined up with his obedience to the law of God.  What the king did affected the nation and the people followed his lead.  Good kings encouraged moral behavior in the people and evil kings lead the people in the ways of the heathen nations surrounding them.

I was reading a section in II Chronicles 24:17-20 this morning, causing me to reflect on the kings of Israel and the “kings” of America.

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king and he listened to them.  They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherrah poles and idols.  Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.  Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.  Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest.  He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands?  You will not prosper.  Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”.

I realize that this was specifically written about this kingdom and this specific king, yet does not history repeat itself and shouldn’t we learn what we can from the mistakes of those who lived before?

I wonder what the God of Israel would say about the “kings” of America?  How would He label each man that has “ruled” from the Oval Office?  Should George Washington be the archetype for all successive Presidents as King David was for the kings of Israel?  And if so, how should we rate the leaders of the past 200 years?  Is is too offensive today, too intolerant, to say that a leader does “right” or “evil” in the eyes of the Lord?  Or perhaps, we will just remove the eyes of the Lord all together and pretend He doesn’t exist.

to-kill-a-mockingbird-first-editionAtticus Finch, the lawyer in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird lived in a small town in the segregated South during the 1930’s. He takes on a case to represents an innocent black man against two deceitful white men.  Finch knew he would face hate and prejudice from the community as well as the jury, but he was compelled to speak and act on this man’s behalf because it was the moral thing to do.  He spoke the truth boldly in the face of opposition.

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. – spoken by Atticus Finch, by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

In our Nation’s history, many have been like Finch and have spoken the truth in the face of opposition.  As I write this post, I think about the courageous prophets mentioned in the Bible who spoke out against immorality and called the kings of Israel to repentance.  I ponder whether my pen is mighty enough to effect change in my country and if my courage will waver should the “king and his officials” come against my freedom of conscience and speech.

The direction that America is heading is far more complicated than just liberal and conservative politics.  Political thought stems from a deeper understanding of right and wrong, truth and evil.  Proverbs 27:19 says, “As  water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”  One’s political thought reflects what is in one’s heart.  If the basis of our Nation’s political thought has been guided by hearts that are far from the Truth of the Bible, and I submit that it is, then our Nation is in no better shape than Judah and Jerusalem was in the Scripture. “You will not prosper.  Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.” II Chronicles 24:20

My fellow bloggers, why do you blog?  Is is to make a name for yourself in the vast community of type and thought?  Is it to push to elect a different man or woman?  Or is there a passion to spark a fire of real repentance and change in America?  It begins with us, the individuals, to be willing to be what we require our leaders to be and to hold them accountable to a standard that has been placed so low, that anyone can slither their way into political office if they have enough money and power behind them.  Is this the America we want, or do we demand an America that requires its leaders to lead wearing the same honest shoes that George Washington wore?  Our first President, the archetype to what a President should be said,  “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” His honesty however wasn’t based on a human standard, for one person’s white lie is another man’s vice; but his standard was the Bible.   We as individuals should live by that standard of honesty and in doing so, require our leaders, from the PTA to the President of the United States to live and lead by such a virtue.

It is better to declare the truth and be rejected, than to withhold the truth just to be accepted.

george-washington-prayer

image001

Unemployed? Perhaps submitting your resume for the position of the President of the United States might be an option. If you are interested, please read the following description and mail your qualifications to:

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,Washington, DC 20500.

white-house-address

According to Scholastic.com (a website for teachers and children, we want to keep it simple)  the description is as follows:

The Constitution assigns the president two roles: chief executive of the federal government and Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

As Commander in Chief, the president has the authority to send troops into combat, and is the only one who can decide whether to use nuclear weapons.

As chief executive, he enforces laws, treaties, and court rulings; develops federal policies; prepares the national budget; and appoints federal officials.

He also approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants pardons.

Another website for kids provided this chart.  (Hopefully it will help clear up any confusion and enable you to come to an understanding of the requirements for this position.)

Job Description U.S. President
Minimum Requirements: Must be at least 35 years old

Must be a Citizen of the United States

Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

Term of Employment: 4 years, with the possibility of a second 4 years
Salary: $400,000 plus

$ 50,000 expenses

$ 40,000 transportation

Free room and board

Job Responsibilities: Choose cabinet members

Command the armed forces of the country

Meet with leaders of foreign countries

Make treaties with foreign countries

Appoint judges and ambassadors

Propose new laws

Sign bills into law and veto bills

Protect and defend the laws of the United States

Pardon criminals

Report to Congress once a year

As I see it, there are a few items missing from this list for the office of President of the United States as per President Obama’s example.

  1. Media Manipulator
  2. Rock Star Persona
  3. Olympic Community Organizer for Chicago Bid  2016
  4. Male or Female Model for Daily Photo Opts.
  5. Late Night Talk Show Circuit Rider
  6. Whipping Post for the “World’s Most Wanted Terrorists and Dictators”

obama_gaddafi david-letterman-barack-obama1 MEN'S HEALTH MAGAZINE BARACK OBAMA

R1048covNEWS_Flat (imported)obamapelosireid AP on TV Katie Couric

If you believe you can fill these historically large shoes, we are desperate!  Quickly respond to this advertisement: our country needs you, our Allies (aka Israel) needs you, the Free World needs a true leader and hero.

I am an American woman: a wife, mother, a homeschooler, a worship leader, musician and blogger, looking to encourage other women who hold a deep passion for the restoration of our country.  As I watched Glenn Beck’s: A Mother’s Challenge: A 9.12 Report, I came face to face with woman who articulated the concerns I too feel as a mother, living in a country rapidly changing its red, white and blue colors, to a bleak shade of unrecognizable.  The audience was a melting pot of women who held various political, educational, religious and ethnic backgrounds, yet were united as mothers under the common concern for the future of their children.

259230_320_motherschallenge

Glenn Beck surveyed this group of woman and narrowed forty pages of concern down to these top three:

  1. History Not Being Taught to Our Children
  2. Parent’s Losing Their Rights
  3. Killing Our Children’s Future

As the camera scanned the room of smiling faces, any of which could have been my next door neighbor; Glenn Beck teasingly referred to his special guest audience, (with his satirical grin in place), as the “angry mob, tea baggers or domestic terrorists”, and his guests smirked in return at his sarcastic reference.  Many of these women had taken part in a “Tea Party”, or a “Town Hall” and some had participated in the March on Washington, but most were new to this type of political involvement. They raised however, a cacophony of reasonable dissent and vowed a sustained siege on Washington, determined to effect change, not motivated by purse stings or heavy handed lobbying, but by their concern for their families and a determination to take back their country.

The conversation was poignant and well directed.  Beck would volley a question to his audience and one or two of the ladies would respond.  A woman named Barbara stated, “Our kids are our future.  Our forefathers fought and died for our freedom and it is time for us to do the same for our children and their future.”

In response to this, Frank Luntz, a Republican political consultant and pollster, asked the question, “Are you better off than your parents were when they were your age?”  Most hands raised in affirmation.  Then he asked, “Do you think your children will be better off when they are your age?”  Not one hand was raised in a positive response.  Beck then jumped in and re-phrased the question, asking, “How many of you feel that spiritually, in a completed way, you are better off than your parents were?”  Again, not one hand was raised.

The evening continued as the top three concerns were discussed.  When asked about the issue on: “History is not Being Taught to Our Children”, one lady stated that the Name of God was invoked in every Preamble of all 50 states as the Almighty or Creator and the schools are not teaching this fact of history.  Another woman followed up saying, “Without the morality that comes from a God based life and government system, the entire thing would fall apart, and I think that is exactly what we are seeing in our society.”

Mary Baker, mother of seven and a home school mom said that, “America is a  God inspired idea and if you take Him out, you can’t have America (without God).”

Another woman was concerned that high school and college students don’t realize that, “Socialism is communism light.  Students don’t know their history.”  She was deeply worried that by not knowing the history of communism, this future generation would not know how to stand against it.

stuff

A short clip from “The Story of Stuff” was shown to demonstrate how America’s children were being taught to believe that America’s capitalist economy is evil.  When asked to respond to this clip, the audience shared that they believe that the “stuff” in society hasn’t caused unhappiness, but there is “less God therefore less happiness”.  There was an outrage that schools could force this view on the American children, and that parents much of the time remain clueless.

Then Beck raised the issue of the song about Barack Hussein Obama and angrily pointed out that Christmas songs couldn’t be sung in America, but children could be taught to sing the praises of this President, to the point of seemingly deifying him. Again, the audience responded with similar frustration that the State and even the President was being made into an image of god.

The next topic was related to Parental Rights.  Barbara Boxer and her support of the U.N. Treaty on the Rights of Children were mentioned as a very real concern.  These women refuse to let the government tell them how to raise their families.  They were angry to think that they were losing control of their rights to opt out of mandatory government programs, such as shots and the lack of control in what their children were being taught at school.

Frank Luntz pointed out that in a survey, the American people wanted control of their government in the following areas.

  1. Accountability
  2. Respect
  3. Results
  4. Bold Action
  5. Oversight

Frank Luntz- “What Americans Really Want… Really

This audience had a real appreciation for their God given responsibility to raise their children and as one gal put it, “We want our children back.”  Another woman said, “Without freedom, we have nothing and that is why we are screaming mad!”

Lastly, Beck asked about the idea that the government was “Killing Our Children’s Future”.  A woman named Leslie encouraged the group saying, “We need to teach our children the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, so when these rights are being usurped, they will know how to stand up and say ‘No, these are my rights.’”  Another young mom said that she feared that the more she fought against the government’s intrusion, the more the government pushed back and took rights away.

march

The Tea Parties, Town Halls, The 9.12 Project and social networking sites like Smart Girl Nation and blogs such as Girl Pundit, demonstrate that there is a very different belief system to which much of America ascribes and those who hold these views believe America is in grave peril.  No longer can we sit still and slowly boil to death, but rather must take real action, even if it is outside of one’s comfort zone.  We now clearly see what the ultimate price for our freedom is, should we do nothing.  Freedom costs, yet the death of freedom is more costly.

A unanimous show of hands was raised when the moms were asked by Beck, “How many of you are willing to lose it all for the sake of one’s children, if pure freedom was at the end of it?”  The truth is that those who first came to these shores did willingly “give it all up” for the sake of their children’s future and the right to worship God.  Freedom was the destination and for many, death was the price they paid.

This fight for freedom would be a daunting task if one faced it alone.  But we have stirred the heart-fires of many like-minded women who demand a better future for their children and are willing to fight for that future.  There are moms like me, who have taken time out of their everyday lives to speak their minds, walk an event like the March on the Capitol, attend a Town Hall meeting, post a blog, or call their Senator, all in the name of freedom and the future of our Nation.  The time is now to become involved in the process of democracy, let your voice ring out, so that freedom will continue to ring for future generations!

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” James Madison-Federalist Papers Number 51.

Cockroaches

A light is lit in a dark room to scatter the blackness, to uncover potential hazards and many times to send the cockroaches running.  This past week, light has been directly aimed into various dark corners and the cockroaches have indeed scattered.  Acorns are falling from trees,  a peanut farmer spreads hate and a spoiled nut steps into the spotlight, opens his mouth and spews insults.  Where is the morality?  Where are the ethics?  What happened to polite society?

While driving home after teaching a Government class for an engaging group of seniors high students, another vehicle passed by mine, slowed down and the young man in the back seat proceeded to drop his window,  drop his drawers and share his hind end with me and my car full of kids.  So much for keeping things in the dark!  Apparently this cockroach liked the sunshine, but it made me think deeply about the moral direction or  lack of it  in our country.  The contrast of the “mooning teen” to the teens who were passionately discussing the loss of individual rights when the “bad apples” in society break the law and law makers make blanket legislation that hurt those who uphold the law, was poignant.

Noah Webster stated, “The moral principles and precepts contained in Scripture ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.  All the miseries and evils which men suffer from, vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”  If  this is true and I believe it is, then it explains the “why” to the condition of our morally decaying society.  When there is no bedrock of absolute truth, when society lives by it’s own wavering definition of “rightness”, then we end up with a society of citizens, run by a government of officials who don’t pay their taxes, who lie, cheat and steal, who support an ideology of “just don’t get caught” and who act like Eve in the Garden of Eden passing the buck when they are caught with their pants down.  If the “grown ups” who run the government, work in the schools,  for the unions, the hospitals and the car dealerships (a very short list) live by their wishy-washy whims, then how can we expect the youth of the nation to live any differently?

noah webster

We act shocked by the Acorn scandals this past week, but why are we, when right is might and morality is fleeting?  Webster may seem prophetic in his statement: “All the miseries and evils which men suffer from, vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible”, yet this isn’t prophetic, but merely learning the lessons from history and hind sight.  Immorality is as old as the foundation of the earth and nothing in human nature alone can over come its grip.  Yet we choose to not learn from the mistakes of those before us and pridefully believe we have evolved into a better creature.   I have yet to see an evolved ethically moral human being without the foundation of Biblical Truth permeating his life.

Clive Staples Lewis penned this poem that speaks clearly about the nature of man: 

All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through:
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.

Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin:
I talk of love –a scholar’s parrot may talk Greek–
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.

Only that now you have taught me (but how late) my lack.
I see the chasm. And everything you are was making
My heart into a bridge by which I might get back
From exile, and grow man. And now the bridge is breaking.

For this I bless you as the ruin falls. The pains
You give me are more precious than all other gains.

Humanity, brought into the glaring light of morality, will scatter like a cockroach unless it has learned to live, believe and be changed by the Scripture.  We who desire to see our country restored must be willing to live by the standards that we require others to live by.  Our morality must be whiter and truer than the next man’s morality because only then do we have a relevant leg to stand on.  Our morality must be based on non-shifting truth and we must raise the bar for the youth of the nation to live by the higher standard and not tolerate unethical and immoral behavior.  We must demand our public officials to sign a new Magna Carta stating that they will abide by an high ethical standard and hold them to it.  We must not only hold our politicians to the strict construction of the Constitution, but we also must be willing  ourselves not only live it, but die for it.

Men are not angels and can easily devolve into cockroaches when the lights of morality are dim.  Let us not dumb down our moral curriculum just because it is difficult to live by, but rather raise the bar and raise a nation of youth who rise up to the occasion of doing what is right.  And when government or any other public or private office in America ducks under this bar, we need to turn the lights on, expose them and reach for the bug repellent.

school house

I remember being taught as a little girl to love the Lord God and serve Him only.  I remember standing with my fellow classmates each morning, hand over my heart, saying with respect for each word, “I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”  I remember being taught in school to honor and respect the office of the President, a position that has been gilded by such noble men as George Washington, James Madison and Abraham Lincoln.  I remember walking to the polling place each election year and somehow knowing even as a child the significance of casting a vote.  I remember  having the privilege in second grade of signing a “Declaration of Independence” in honor of our nation’s two hundredth birthday and sending it from the west coast to the east in a covered wagon.  But what I don’t remember is a political agenda of a President and an indoctrination coming from Washington D.C. to affect my mind as a young child.

School was a place of learning and ideas; it was a place where teachers inspired this learning and where friendships lasted.  School was about the recess games and spelling all the states’ names correctly.  The teachers cared about the child’s academic progress and  growth with the objective: to teach  him to grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.

How then, if this is what school was, do we find ourselves pledging not to the flag, but to an ideology carried on the authority of the President.  No time in the history of the United States has a President infiltrated the halls of learning in such a manner.  Is it historic?  Perhaps.  Is it right?  I think not.

First ladies have visited schools for the cause of education. Campaigning politicians have visited the classrooms of their precincts to meet and greet teachers and parents. However, to have the standing President become the cheer leader of an ideological cause which demands a pledge of service from children who have no voice in the political spectrum is insidious.  Obama however demonstrates his genius through this agenda to take this captive audience of young impressionable children and infiltrate their impressionable minds.  His marketing techniques for his “Change” and “Hope” campaign are brilliant yet beyond the pale.   “Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed” and thus Obama enters the classroom.

obama-classroom

Some may argue that the children of America are getting the pleasure of having the President of the United States speak in their classrooms and perhaps this would be true if there was not a blatant agenda presupposing the visit.  This is  a campaign for the hearts and minds of our children, a segment of society that should be left out of the political fray and allowed to be nurtured by their parents; schooled in reading, writing and arithmetic and not used as pawns in this Administrations’ plans for its future.

When Barack Obama took office, he swore to the American people these words: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitutions of the United States.”  This is the same oath which every President has solemnly promised to the people he has served.  Yet this forty-fourth president has forgotten that though he sits in the most powerful seat in the world, he came to this position by only 53% of the people’s votes, yet when he took this oath of office it was as President to 100% of America.  Barrack Obama is our public servant who works for the United States of America in the capacity of chief executive.  His paycheck is signed by the American people and as our employee; he should be listening to those for whom he works instead of indoctrinating America’s children.

This Tuesday, “We the Parents” must take a strong stand for our children. We must send a message to our government that they work for us, that the liberal agenda does not belong in the classroom and that the President needs to stay in the Oval office and do the work of a President.  If our government uses sanctions to put pressure on others countries that are out of line, then we, the parents should sanction our government by keeping our children home on Tuesday and therefore send a message that affects the pocket book of each district that refuses to listen to its clientele. The government, in its many forms, works for us and when that government is not working well for us, we fire it.  The Administration dismisses the voice of the people, as “astroturf” and  “Right Wing Domestic Terrorists” and as such, we must continue to turn up the our democratic heat, live out loud our First Amendment rights and protect the future of America, our children.

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